How an '800' call can cost $15.60

Article Abstract:

Allied Marketing Group Inc and Audio Telecom Inc are being studied by the US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) after complaints were made by consumers and state officials regarding charges made to customers who dialed 'toll-free' numbers and then were charged for the calls. Allied sends out direct-mail sweepstakes promotions under the name of Sweepstakes Clearinghouse, which encourages recipients to call an 800 number to see if they have won prizes. Although the recorded message says that callers will be billed if they stay on the line to receive full information, consumers are surprised when they are billed for the 800-number call. This seems to be part of a telemarketing ploy by Allied and Audio Telecom, which processes the phone calls, and interests government investigators. AT and T, which provides 800 service to businesses, is a difficult position in that it cannot discriminate against businesses that purchase 800-number services.

Telephone communications, exc. radio, Catalog and mail-order houses, Usage, Marketing, United States. Federal Communications Commission, T, Investigations, Telemarketing, American Telephone and Telegraph Co., Employee promotions, Legal Issues, Promotion of Product, Toll-free telephone numbers, Toll free numbers, Investigation, Allied Marketing Group Inc., Audio Telecom Inc.

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Pay-per-minute phone advice gets personal and professional

Article Abstract:

Pay-per-call telephone services using 900 telephone numbers, also known as audiotex services, expand into new areas. Insurance information and legal help are now available in this way, and financial services are planned. The market is large and growing. According to Marketing Logistics (Lincolnshire, IL), the market could be worth as much as $1.2 billion in 1991. Bruce Kushnick, president of Strategic Telemedia (New York, NY), indicates that pay-per-call services offer a useful benefit; they provide a way to get information about some subject without talking to a person with a vested interest in it. The US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) puts restrictions in place that require pay-per-call services to disclose information about their identities and their rates, giving callers a chance to hang up without being charged.

Business services, not elsewhere classified, Analysis, Telecommunications services industry, Telecommunications industry, Telephone companies, Growth (Physiology), Growth, Industry Analysis, Market Analysis, Financial Services, Telephone Company, Audiotext services, Pay-per-call services, Audiotex, Pay per call services

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